The Ground of Plataea: The Meeting

Posted on Mon Mar 9th, 2020 @ 6:18am by Captain Astrid "Alex" Yamaguchi & Lieutenant Commander Gabriel Yamaguchi & Post Captain Plataea "Phantom" Lasky

Mission: Mission 77: Made Glorious Summer
Location: Federation Orbital Station - Officers Lounge
Timeline: 1200Hrs - April 9th, 2392

Commander Alex Yamaguchi smiled. "Well ladies.. Lunch has been great but I have got to get down to the personnel office and explain my situation to them and file for a name change from Talon to Alex." she explained as she rose to her feet. The other two women likewise rose to their feet and the three said goodbye as only kin could, with hugs and kisses.

Talon watched her twin leave in silence, she let out a soft sigh as Plataea smiled warmly at her. "Don't worry so much about her, she'll come around when she's ready, and when she's processed the last three hours of her life... You facilitated a fantasy for her." Plataea explained gently as she rubbed the pregnant woman's shoulder. "You showed her the family she's always wanted but could never have until now...."

"I just feel like I screwed up... Ramming it down her throat with too much force you know?" Talon sighed softly.

"I do know what that's like... and I'm actually in the same boat that she is. Jake here is a decent man with me.. and my twin sibling... since she and I are almost the same person." Plataea explained softly.

Meanwhile the lounge door opened and in walked Lieutenant Gabriel Yamaguchi, he looked around before he spotted the woman who looked almost identical to his mother in every respect. He went over. "Ladies.. Mind if I join you?"

Talon regarded her nephew with surprise. "Gabe.. I wasn't expecting you."

"I know.. I'm here for her." he indicated Plataea.

"Then sit, join us and tell us what is bothering you." Talon explained as Gabriel took one of the chairs at the table. "Plataea... Mom's middle name.. Its not right."

"Slow down sweetie." Plataea gently reached across the table as she gently took his hands in hers. "I know i'm not your mother... I just look like her."

"But you are my mother... You're also not my mother... and I'm confused about it." Gabriel responded, clearly this was a bother to him.

Talon paused as she lifted the last of the food on the table. "Gabe. Plataea here is your mom's sibling... It was best resolved that way otherwise it would cause issues."

"It didn't resolve them. My sisters feel the same way... Elizabeth doesn't even care to tell mom and Plataea apart, she said 'fuck it' and she calls both women as mom as she can't be bothered to tell them apart.." he explained for Talon's benefit. "Rachael does the same thing." he paused. "But then I've always been my mothers only son until recently."

Plataea nodded her head. "Ahh... and you think your relationship with your mother is threatened by me.?"

"I don't understand you. I mean I've read your file... Even the parts that Starfleet Intelligence didn't want me to." he turned his attention to Talon. "Its best that you don't ask how."

"I was not gonna ask." Talon responded after swallowing the mouthful of food in her mouth. "Hey. I'm eating for three here, I'm always hungry."

Plataea regarded the man who was her son in another reality and lifetime. "Gabriel." she said softly. "In the reality where I come from, I was a sextoy and nothing more." she explained. "You know my skillset... I'm an infiltrator, a special forces commando and a murderer." Plataea sighed softly. "I have no right to be a part of your family."

"Because of your record?"

"No... Because of what I've done in my career." Plataea whispered softly. "I've killed, I've sent good people top their deaths and for what... an invasion by the Romulans into Federation held space... Which in this reality, its the Romulans who are imploding and here the Federation is a powerhouse commanding the largest fleet I have ever seen assembled under one flag." Torilla's doppelganger explained. "You read my file... You know what I'm talking about....Your father is a good man in this reality... He considers my children as his own and ... I honestly have no idea of what to make of him..."

Gabriel nodded his head. "Savannah and I have been getting to know Selendis and Ouros. Both of those two have a gift... Ouros, honestly should be teaching her skills to others, not out here in the field and Selendis... She has designs and visions for the Federations Armored Corps... that I can honestly see her commanding it someday and you."

Plataea regarded her son who wasn't her son. "What about me?"

"You think you owe the universe a penance for what you did in your home reality... Selendis told me what you, her and her sisters went through at the hands of Jacob Yamaguchi... I will not call him 'Jake' as he does not deserve the honor... The man was a monster.. Honestly I'm glad there isn't a version of me in your home reality because I don't know how I'd cope..."

Plataea regarded him in silence. "Gabe... I can read your emotions... and its blinding, searing..." she paused. "You're hurting me.." she added in a gentle tone.

"You scare the crap out of me..." Gabriel decided to come out and say it. "You look like my mother, you act like her, you sound like her, hell you even think like her. But you scare me..." he sighed softly. "I'm sorry.."

"Don't be... I know that I scare people... My own demons are powerful and keep me up most nights. Especially with what I endured from 'him'." Plataea answered gently. "I honestly don't know what I want anymore.." she added softly.

Talon leaned forward. "Go on Gabe.. I can see you've had this on your plate awhile now... Tell her how you really feel.."

Plataea hardened her heart, for the rejection she was sure was to come. This man was going to tell her he hated her and that he wanted nothing to do with her.

Gabriel Yamaguchi sat back in the chair he was sitting in. "No. I don't hate you as you've not caused me or my kin any harm... If anything you've show me another side to my mother I didn't know existed."

"I'm not your mother."

"You are close enough..." Gabe responded. "I think... Elizabeth and Rachael were right all along and I need therapy."

"No.. You just needed to get it out of your system sweetie." Talon responded. "So long as what you say is in your eyes the truth of how you feel." the pregnant woman went on.

Gabriel nodded his head. "I think I should talk to Dad... Get his perspective on the matter... Because having two mothers in my life could be confusing."

Plataea stood up. "Gabe... I'm not sure it would-"

In response Gabriel got up, came around the table and slid his arms around her. "It'll be okay mom. I can work through my problem with a little help from family." he paused "Besides... Regard without ill-will despite an offense." That's Webster's definition of forgiveness." Gabriel added with a smile.

"Why do I have to forgive?" Plataea asked her son in a soft tone.

"So you can get on with your life. Mom... Right now you're trapped inside a prison of your own mind... Besides Elizabeth isn't the only one who is a medical specialist in my family.." Gabriel added. "I might be senior tactical officer on the Spirit of Winter but I also pay attention and I know how to talk to people." he explained as he hugged the woman he called mother.

Plataea hugged him back as she could feel the storm of emotions emanating from him as she gently rubbed his back, just like his actual mother would do. "With work and with time. It'll be okay."

Talon watched in silence as she smiled warmly at the scene playing out before her. She knew that it had taken Gabriel Yamaguchi a great amount of courage and bravery to come here, and face this version of the woman who was his mother and accept her into his life, she also knew that Elizabeth and Rachael had never bothered with this level of talking to Plataea.

Gabriel regarded Plataea. "I know you'll be heading back out into the field shortly. I'll be there to see you off.... just promise me one thing?"

Plataea felt something she had never really known before. Hope. "Whats that?"

"Come back alive Mom... I just found you, I am not about you let you go out of my life a second time." Gabriel explained quietly to the woman who he had claimed as his second mother, the fact that she was not his birth mother was irrelevant.

Talon felt a tear slide down her face. "Gabe... I didn't know."

"Plataea is my mother.. She just didn't give birth to me but she is my mother in every respect that matters."

Plataea had no idea of how to process all of this as she gently placed her hand onto Gabe's shoulder. "Coming here and telling me all of this was incredibly brave... I honestly don't know of what to say..."

"You are a part of this family mom." Gabriel responded quietly before the two of them seperated, still locked together in their embrace. He sat down and so did Plataea. She still looked dumbstruck by what had just happened.

"I think.. That Gabriel here just sorted out his issues... Didn't you?"

"I did.." Gabriel answered.

Talon turned. "You've never had a son before. Boys and men think differently to girls and women Plataea. Women, yours in particular are very analytical but Gabe here is anything but.. He is very close to his mother and he's just accepted you. You have a chance here to do something different with your life.."